20 ABIOMED Interview Questions and Answers

ABIOMED is a leading provider of mechanical circulatory support devices and therapies to treat heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. The company’s products are used by hospitals and cardiac care centers around the world.

If you’re applying for a job at ABIOMED, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of ABIOMED interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

ABIOMED Interview Process

The interview process at ABIOMED is generally pretty smooth and fast. Most candidates report having a phone screen with a senior engineer, followed by an onsite interview with the hiring manager and team. The process usually wraps up with a tour of the office and manufacturing plant.

1. What is your understanding of the role?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the role and what you can bring to it. It also allows you to show how much you know about ABIOMED, which may be helpful if you are interviewing for multiple positions within the company.

Example: “The role of an ABIOMED engineer is to create innovative solutions that improve patient care. I believe my creativity and problem-solving skills make me well suited for this position because I enjoy finding new ways to solve problems. In my previous role as an ABIOMED engineer, I developed a system that allowed patients to monitor their blood pressure at home. This helped them avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital.”

2. What do you know about ABIOMED and our products?

This question is a great way for employers to see how much you know about their company and its products. It’s important that you do your research before the interview so you can show them you’re prepared. You should be able to answer this question with at least one fact about ABIOMED and two facts about their products.

Example: “ABIOMED is an innovative medical device manufacturer that has been in business since 2005. The company was founded by Dr. John Smith, who wanted to create a more efficient way of monitoring patients’ vital signs. He created the first VitalSigns monitor, which monitors heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and other vitals. This product has won several awards over the years.”

3. How did you hear about this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how you found their company. They want to know if you applied for the position on your own or if someone referred you. If you were referred, they also want to know who referred you so they can thank them. When answering this question, be honest about how you learned about the job opening.

Example: “I saw this position posted online and was immediately interested in applying. I have a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and five years of experience working as an engineer at ABIOMED. My resume is attached to my application, and I am excited to discuss my qualifications with you.”

4. Why are you interested in working for ABIOMED?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your background and why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that attracted you to ABIOMED or how you learned about the position.

Example: “I am interested in working for ABIOMED because of its reputation as an innovative healthcare company. I have been following the company’s work for several years now, and I think the products they create would be beneficial to patients across the country. Additionally, I was excited to see that the company is dedicated to hiring employees from diverse backgrounds.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and challenging situations. This can be an important skill for customer service roles, so it’s important to show that you have the ability to work with difficult people. In your answer, try to focus on a specific situation where you were able to resolve the issue or help the person in some way.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order within the expected delivery date. I listened to them as they explained their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience. Then, I looked up their order history and found out that they had ordered from us before. I told them that we would send out a replacement order right away and offered to refund their shipping costs.”

6. Describe a time where you were successful at getting a large gift and what your strategy was.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with clients and get them excited about the company. It also shows that you are willing to go above and beyond for clients, which can be an important quality in salespeople.

Example: “I had a client who was interested in our product but wasn’t sure if it would fit their needs. I met with them at their office and showed them how our product could help them achieve their goals. They were very impressed by my knowledge of the product and decided to purchase it. The next day they called me back and asked if we could create a custom version of the product for them.”

7. What kind of connections do you have with the community? How involved are you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you determine how they might fit in with your company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific organizations or groups that you are involved with.

Example: “I am very passionate about my community. I volunteer at the local food bank every Wednesday night. I have been doing so for two years now. I also coach my son’s little league baseball team. I love being able to give back to the community while spending time with my family.”

8. Are you comfortable traveling up to 50% of the time?

This question is a good way to determine if you are willing to travel for work. Employers ask this because they want to know that you will be able to make the necessary trips and not have any issues with it. When answering, consider how often you would need to travel and what your schedule would look like.

Example: “I am comfortable traveling up to 50% of the time as long as I can plan my schedule accordingly. I understand that there may be times when I need to travel more than others, so I am prepared for those situations. I also understand that sometimes unexpected things happen, so I am always ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

9. What process and planning would you do to prepare for an upcoming class you were teaching?

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and how you plan for important events. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to prepare for an upcoming class or event.

Example: “I always start by creating a calendar of all my classes and when they are scheduled. I then create a list of supplies that I need for each class and order them ahead of time so I have everything ready to go on the first day of class. I also like to make sure I am familiar with the course materials before the first day of class so I can spend more time interacting with students.”

10. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

If the company you’re interviewing with is looking to expand their business, they may need employees who are willing to relocate. If this is something you can do, let them know that you would be happy to move for a job opportunity.

Example: “I am open to relocating if needed. I have moved several times in my life and enjoy meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. I think it’s important to experience as much of the world as possible while we’re young, so I’m excited about the possibility of moving.”

11. Do you have experience managing a budget?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to manage finances and understand how you would handle their company’s budget. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know how to balance a budget and use financial software to track expenses.

Example: “I have worked with budgets in my current position, where I was responsible for tracking all of our department’s spending. We used an accounting software program to keep track of our expenditures, which helped me learn how to properly manage money. In my last job, we didn’t have access to this type of software, so I created spreadsheets to monitor our spending. This process taught me how to create more efficient ways to track our spending.”

12. What is your management style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would interact with your team members. Your management style is a reflection of your personality and values, so it’s important to be honest about what works for you. If you have experience managing others, describe your approach in detail. If you don’t have direct experience, consider describing the leadership qualities you possess that could make you an effective manager.

Example: “I believe my management style is collaborative. I like to involve my team members in decision-making processes as much as possible. I find that when people feel valued and respected, they are more motivated to do their best work. In my previous role, I had a small team where everyone was involved in making decisions. We were able to meet deadlines while maintaining high quality standards.”

13. Have you ever been asked to take over another team member’s project? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle responsibility and your ability to adapt to new situations. Use examples from past experience where you had to take over a project or task that wasn’t originally yours, and discuss what steps you took to ensure it was completed successfully.

Example: “In my last role as an ABIOMED engineer, I was assigned to work on a team of three other engineers. One day, one of our team members called in sick, so I volunteered to cover his shift. The next week, he was out again, so I covered for him again. After two weeks, I realized he would need more time off, so I offered to switch with him permanently. He agreed, and we worked out a schedule that allowed us all to get our work done.”

14. What is one thing that you did not like about your last job?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s work history and how they feel about their previous employers. It can also be an opportunity for you to see if there are any red flags in their past, such as poor communication skills or conflict resolution. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on specific examples of what you did not like rather than generalizations.

Example: “I didn’t really enjoy having to work with so many different people. I prefer working in smaller teams where everyone knows each other well and has good communication skills.”

15. What is your greatest strength?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know what skills you have that will help you succeed in the role, so they may also ask you to explain which of these skills are most relevant to the job. When answering this question, think about which skills you feel make you a strong candidate for the position. Try to choose traits that show you’re organized, detail-oriented or empathetic.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am always sure to double-check all of my work before submitting it, and I can find mistakes others might miss. This skill has helped me get through school with good grades and perform well on exams.”

16. What is your biggest weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know that you are self-aware, but they also want to see what steps you take to overcome any weaknesses. When answering this question, be honest and specific. Try to choose a weakness that is not too serious or one that you have already made strides in improving.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my perfectionism. I am always striving for the best results, which can sometimes lead me to overworking myself. In the past, I’ve learned to set realistic goals for myself so that I don’t burn out. I also make sure to give myself plenty of time to complete projects.”

17. What would you say is the most important quality for someone to be a good manager?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what makes a good manager and why that quality is so important.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for someone to have as a manager is empathy. I’ve worked with managers who were very empathetic toward their employees and those who weren’t. The ones who were empathetic were always more successful because they cared about their team members’ well-being and happiness. They also knew when to give advice or feedback and when to let their employees figure things out on their own.”

18. Talk about a time where you were successful at getting a large gift and what your strategy was.

This question is a great way to see how you can apply your skills and talents to the company. It also helps employers understand what kind of results you’ve achieved in the past. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “In my last position as an ABIOMED specialist, I was tasked with getting a large gift from a client. The client had been working with us for years but hadn’t purchased anything recently. I knew that if we wanted to get them back as a customer, it would take some extra effort. So, I called the client and asked them why they stopped buying from us. They told me that they were looking for something new and different.

I then offered to send over samples of our newest products so they could try them out. After trying the product, they loved it and decided to buy more. This helped us secure another long-term client.”

19. What kind of connections do you have with the community? How involved are you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you determine how they might fit in with your company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific organizations or groups that you are involved with.

Example: “I am very passionate about my community. I volunteer at the local food bank every Wednesday night. I have been doing so for two years now. I also coach my son’s little league baseball team. I love being able to give back to the community while spending time with my family.”

20. What process and planning would you do to prepare for an upcoming class you were teaching?

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and how you plan for important events. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to prepare for an upcoming class or event.

Example: “I always start by creating a calendar of all my classes and when they are scheduled. I then create a list of supplies that I need for each class and order them ahead of time so I have everything ready to go on the first day of class. I also like to make sure I know what materials students will need for each class as well.”